News: Winnipeg, Brenda Dickson, Nepal, Sam Adams, Stephen Harper

Gambino mob hitman didn't mean to tell everyone he was gay: “'He didn’t want to make an announcement to the world,' said one person with knowledge of the case who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the dangers facing Mr. Mormando. 'He wanted the judge to know what risks he took — why he wasn’t just your average cooperator, someone who had simply broken the code.'"

Sam Taylor-Wood's sleeping Beckham image to appear on condoms in Spain.

Why Hello There: 'Welcome to My Home' star Brenda Dickson wrongly imprisoned for four months!

Rep. Alan Grayson launches website to document those who have died because they had no health care.

James Franco makes silent appearance on SNL.

Boston DJ Barry Scott denied new trial against Provincetown police.

Nepal to seek status as LGBT tourist destination: "Nepal government has held a series of meetings with well-known international tour operators and non-profit organisations to promote Nepal as a potential destination for LGBTs, the Kantipur online said on Thursday. Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) officials hope that LGBT arrivals will give a boost to the number of visitors to the country as the government mulls new way to bring in a million foreign tourists in the Nepal Tourism Year 2011."

WATCH: John Mayer's music video for "Heartbreak Warfare".

McCain supporters' testosterone dropped on election night.

Ethiopia pleas with international community for food aid.

Pee Wee Herman plans comeback: "I don't want anyone for one second to think that I am titillated by images of children."

Philadelphia Gay News serves as test run for U.S. Census ad.

LAPD cuts ties with the Boy Scouts.

Uganda bill that would penalizes gays with death put off until 2010: "Parliament was too busy, just now, to handle the important matter of the Anti- Homosexuality bill. Apparently it is very, very far ahead in the future, but that gives you time to check in with your MP and tell them how much you support the Bahati Bill." American Evangelicals are playing role in efforts there to exterminate gays...

Fatal men's bathhouse fire now a homicide investigation in Winnipeg: "The bathhouse's owner, Somchai Pengpharsuks, told the Free Press last week he believed the blaze was set by two men on the building's second floor. He said the incident was potentially hate-motivated, according to information he received, because the bathhouse is frequented predominantly by gay men. Both men died of smoke inhalation in a fire that police believe was "deliberately set," said a police spokesman.

Glee planning "all Madonna" episode.

Former Oregon senator to lead new recall effort against Portland Mayor Sam Adams: "The PAC's treasurer, Teresa McGuire said this time around opponents will use paid signature collectors, much the same as other nonprofit campaigns."

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper hires homophobe speechwriter: "Referring to former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau's 1969 decision to decriminalize homosexuality, Hannaford wrote in 2005, 'Fine, said lots of people. Leave gays alone? Fair enough. But, let 'em be Boy Scout leaders? Have each other's benefits? Adopt kids? Marry each other? Ridiculous. Anybody seeking political office who suggested it would have been laughed off the hustings. Yet, the Liberals are ready to legalize gay marriage. How did we get to this point?'"

News: Cincinnati, RuPaul, Liverpool, Right Whales, Rihanna, Nepal

Cincinnati activists concerned about local NAACP chapter's hiring of anti-gay attorney. Attorney Chris Finney has a long history as an Anti-GLBT Rights Activist and is involved with such groups as the CCV (Citizens for Community Values which has ties to Focus on the Family) and was instrumental in making  sure that the original hate crime laws in Cincinnati did not cover sexual orientation.

Massive comeback of right whales seen in Cape Cod Bay: "An aerial survey done last week by the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies indicated there were 60 right whales swimming in the bay, chowing down on the buffet of zooplankton in the waters offshore. That's six times the number of the endangered whales surveyors saw last year at this time."

Rihanna gets gun tattoo.

McCain strategist Steve Schmidt comes out in support of marriage equality: “I’m personally supportive of [marriage] equality for gay couples and I believe that it will happen over time. I think that more and more Americans are insistent that, at a minimum, gay couples should be treated with respect and when they see a political party trying to stigmatize a group of people who are hardworking, who play by the rules, who raise decent families, they’re troubled by it.”

LOGO renews RuPaul's Drag Race.

Former publisher of Bay Windows, Jim Hoover, dies at 53.

Another kid? Madonna off to Malawi again.

Federer grabs some attention courtside.

Nepal opening up as gay tourism destination: "In a break from the traditional mindset, some of the country’s tour operators have now geared up to lure foreign gay and lesbian tourists. Earlier, this kind of travel used to be closeted. A number of restaurants, discos and hotels have been established in the country that cater to gay and lesbian couples. Employees in these establishments have been trained to behave better so that visiting couples get the respect they are looking for."

Reality explosion: Kathy Griffin and Paris Hilton.

L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center launches fourth episode of its AIDS prevention web soap opera "In the Moment".

Pam Spaulding had her eyes opened at the North Carolina Equality Day of Action in Raleigh: "We had people come from as far away as Duck (that's on the Outer Banks) and to the mountain town of Hendersonville to meet with the legislators to discuss pro-LGBT legislation in the queue and to urge them to oppose the marriage amendment."

Through My Eyes: New documentary from the Gay Christian Network looks at how the homosexuality debate within the Christian church affects young gay people who identify as both Christian and gay.

British synth-pop singer La Roux drives in to town.

Last week, Michelangelo Signorile interviewed Tennessee lawmaker Stacey Campfield, who spearheaded the "don't say gay" bill that would forbid any discussion of homosexuality in schools in that state. Listen to the audio HERE.

James O'Connor gets life sentence for slaying of gay Liverpool teen Michael Causer: "Sentencing him to a minimum of 11½ years in prison Mr Justice King accepted O’Connor did not act out of homophobic motives, but described him as 'ignoble' and 'cowardly'. Co-defendant Michael Binsteed, 19, who was accused of perverting the cause of justice, was sentenced to 34 weeks in custody, suspended for two years. He was ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service in 12 months. Speaking outside court, Michael’s parents, Marie and Michael Causer, said: 'This is another black day for Michael. It’s just pathetic.'"

Nepal Vaults Ahead of U.S. in LGBT Rights in Historic Court Ruling

The Nepali Supreme Court issued a ruling today granting protections and rights for sexual and gender minorities. Four gay rights groups reportedly filed petitions through the court and it ruled today.

UK Gay News via the Victory Fund, here are the decision's main points:

"In relation to this matter, directive order has been issued to the Government of Nepal to enact new laws and amend all existing discriminatory laws so that all individuals with different sexual orientations and gender identities can exercise equal rights like any other citizens of Nepal."

"A seven-member committee to be formed by the government of Nepal to study the different same sex partnership/marriage bill/act in other countries and recommend the government to make same sex marriage/partnership act. Based on the recommendation of this committee, the government must introduce a same sex partnership/marriage act."

"The decision also addressed 'cross dressing saying can’t be taken as 'pollution' but should be taken as individual’s freedom of expression."

"All LGBTI must be defined as 'natural persons' and their physical growth as well as sexual orientation, gender identity, expression are all part of natural growing process. Thus equal rights, identity and expression must be ensured regardless of their sex at birth."

Sunil Pant, the founder of Nepal's gay activist group Blue Diamond Society, who was recently sworn in as the country's first openly gay member of Parliament, said "Reading this decision my eyes were filled with tears and I felt we are the most proud LGBTI citizens of Nepal in the world. It is the most beautiful news."

Pant will appear in Washington D.C. at the 2008 International Gay & Lesbian Leadership Conference.

Tears of Joy for Nepali Gays, Transgender Persons over Supreme Court Decision [uk gay news]

Nepal's 'Page 6' Tabloid Serves as Covert LGBT Newsletter

Sunil Pant, who recently became Nepal's first gay parliament member and heads up the country's gay activist Blue Diamond Society, last year launched the country's first LGBT newsletter, in the guise of a celebrity tabloid.

Fridae reports: "Nepali English language newspapers love Hollywood celebrity gossip. They regularly cover hot news about Britney and Madonna. Lesson number one: this is how you sell newspapers in Nepal. The second lesson was world famous in countries with strong ties to Britain. Go to www.page3.com and you will see photos of lovely ladies, too naked to appear in Singapore’s Straits Times, Hong Kong's South China Morning Post or Nepali newspapers. The photos, on the notorious PAGE 3, made The Sun, a London tabloid, one of the most profitable newspapers on the planet. Learning these lessons, Subash Pokharel, working with the Blue Diamond Society, started a new English-language weekly entertainment tabloid for Nepal. It’s called PAGE 6...The first issue was launched in August, 2007."

Here's the smart part: "Embedded in PAGE 6 is page 4, the page dedicated to 'gender talk' and 'diversity' – a weekly dose of LGBTI news and comment. PAGE 6 gets page 4 across to a broad Nepali audience. In the year that PAGE 6 has been published, all the covers have been pop celebrities – except for one. When the BDS won a major court case in December, 2007, that story went on the cover. Circulation did not drop. The next week sexy celebrities returned to page one."

A sexy first in Nepal [fridae]
(via queerty)

News: Matthew Mitcham, Scientology, Red Fish, Nepal, Todd Palin

Nepal officially recognizes third gender.

Gold medal-winning gay Olympian Matt Mitcham gets national sponsor in Australia: "With our ear close to the ground, word has trickled back that Mitcham is very close to signing on to be the new face and, well, bum of swimwear and underpants brand aussieBum."

San Diego Union Tribune comes out against Prop. 8.

First snippet of Britney Spears' new single "Womanizer".

Rachael Ray barbecues with the McCains.

Todd Palin refusing to testify in troopergate scandal: "Sarah Palin initially welcomed the bipartisan investigation into accusations that she dismissed the state's public safety commissioner because he refused to fire her ex-brother-in-law, a state trooper. 'Hold me accountable,' she said."

Sarah Palin to address John Hagee-organized rally? Papers falsely suggest Palin pro-gay...

Elisabeth Hasselbeck offered anchor spot at FOX News?

Vigil for two AIDS doctors imprisoned in Iran to be held at Iranian Mission to the UN on Wednesday, September 24.

Scientists discover red hot fish.

The Laramie Project to return to Laramie 10 years after Matthew Shepard's death: "Laramie has changed in some ways. The city council passed a bias crimes ordinance that tracks such crimes, though it does not include penalties for them. There is an AIDS Walk now. Several residents say they came out publicly as gay, in their churches or on campus, in part to honor Mr. Shepard’s memory. The university hosts a four-day Shepard Symposium for Social Justice each spring, and there is talk of creating a degree minor in gay and lesbian studies. And yet, to the bewilderment of some people here, there is no memorial to Mr. Shepard in Laramie. The log fence has been torn down where he lay dying for 18 hours on Oct. 7, 1998. There is no marker. Wild grass blows in the wind."

200 turn out to discuss plans for LGBT high school in Chicago.

Two of Paris Hilton's chihuahuas get eaten by coyotes.

Fans greet TomKat at Katie Holmes' Broadway opening.

Google founder Sergey Brin takes 23andMe test, discovers he has gene mutation linked with Parkinson's.

Surprise: Republicans "'don’t feel like they understand the coherent strategy' of the Bush administration — 'if there is one.'"

The Birds: Crows beat chimps in mental test.

The Olsen twins to design menswear: "It looks like Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen have set their eyes on men’s wear for their high-end label The Row. Few details could be learned, but Ashley Olsen, who originally conceived the line, is said to have started conceptualizing the men’s collection, which could launch as soon as next fall."

News: Newsom's New Quest, Is Eating Ribs Presidential?, Boyfriends Will Be Boyfriends, It's A Rubyfruit Jungle Out There & More

Two-term San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom—famous for his support of legalizing gay marriage—launches an exploratory bid for California governor. He's expected to face opposition from a crowded field of fellow Democrats when Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger vacates in 2010.

Via Queerty: New Jersey Congressman Steve Rothman has changed his position on gay marriage—thanks to the advice of his lesbian stepdaughter. He's also joined the House Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Caucus.

A special court has upheld the Nepal Army's decision to expel a woman for being a lesbian.

Two women in Iceland will become the first same-sex couple to have their relationship "validated" in a church following new laws that took hold there on June 27. The laws do not define same-sex validations as "marriage." The official who will perform the service, Rev. Sigurdur Grétar Sigurdsson, says, "In my opinion it is a very appreciated development because many priests in the State Church have already organized ceremonies for many years where they pray for and bless gay coupes who have earlier had their cohabitation confirmed by state officials."

Buzzkill: About 600 Starbucks locations will close in the next year, 70% of which opened after 2006.

The NRA will be gunning for Barack Obama's chances this fall, spending $40 million dollars to paint him as a Second Amendment foe.

Clay Felker, New York Magazine founder and husband of Gail Sheehy, dies at 82 after battling throat cancer. Felker and co-founder Milton Glaser were forced out of their jobs in 1977 by Rupert Murdoch, leading to a staff walk-out. The magazine's most famous article, "Tribal Rites of the New Saturday Night," was the basis for Saturday Night Fever, and its "best" lists have made it a staple for actual and aspiring New Yorkers. Amazing quotes here.

Is Bush the best president ever...on AIDS issues? (Consider the source.)

Guess which presidential candidate is the more desirable barbecue guest, according to an AP poll?

T.R. Knight and boyfriend Mark Cornelsen spotted giving gay angst a bad name.

Heart-Breaking: Marriage does not do the trick for all of us, even those lucky enough to live in states where it's legal.

Interfaith Advocates for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender People in Rochester (New York) issues a doctrine for achieving Dr. King's "Beloved community" that includes banning hate crimes against transgendered people.

Rubyfruit Bar and Grill is joining Florent as a memory. The bar, named after Rita Mae Brown's Rubyfruit Jungle, is the victim of higher rent (it's up from $6,500 to $11,000 since 1994) and, perversely, the greater acceptance of gay people in the past decade. "Back then in 1994 there wasn’t this liberation yet for lesbian women, so it became a haven with private, intimate dinners, great wines, a place to hold hands and feel comfortable being out and having dinner Here we are in 2008, where they no longer need to have their own place. They can go anywhere and do whatever they want. It’s kind of a good thing, I guess," said Rubyfruit’s owner, Debra C. Fierro.